Fianna Fáil offers the most competitive entrepreneurs CGT rate of any political party to make Ireland a premier location to attract entrepreneurs. We will also end the tax inequity faced by the self-employed by increasing the earned income tax credit to €1,650.

Meanwhile, SMEs continue to be choked for credit. As an immediate action in government, we will create a state enterprise bank by licensing the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) to lend directly to businesses. Advancing science and research is a core policy for Fianna Fáil. Unlike both Fine Gael and Labour, who have provided no specific funding commitments, we will establish a new five year €300m funding cycle for 3rd level research.

We support fair and decent living wages for all workers. Giving workers more certainty is key and allowing them the right to request more hours of work. We will introduce banded hour contracts and end exploitable zero hour contracts.

Fianna Fáil has put forward a detailed Jobs Package to incentivise job creation in all our communities. We will:

Incentivise job creation by reducing employers PRSI

Equalise tax treatment of the self-employed by increasing the earned income tax credit by 300% to €1,650

Create a full state enterprise bank by licencing the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) to lend directly to SMEs

Empower entrepreneurs to set up new businesses by providing relief from capital gains tax @10% (up to €15m gains limit)

Roll out digital hubs based on the Digital Hub Development Agency model to all local authorities

Explore permitting the self-employed to make full A-Class PRSI contributions in order to qualify for Jobseekers Benefit and Invalidity Benefit

Expand and diversify apprenticeships

Reform JobBridge

Reform the current commercial rates system to make it work for businesses

Allow Irish SMEs compete for public service contract by creating a Public Procurement Ombudsman

Provide access to vacant/underutilised public property to use as incubation centre

Establish a new five year funding cycle for 3rd level research of €300million

“Fianna Fáil believes in a country where decent hard working people can thrive, not just survive. Our vision centres on building an Ireland that will benefit people in every community not just the select few. Our Jobs Package will ensure an Ireland built on strong, safe and enterprising communities and end the two tier recovery that is leaving many Irish communities behind. We believe in a balanced recovery, one that recognises the contribution of the regions to the national economy.”

Hey Micheal Martin, whats this rubbish about you defending 180 Garda statements that didn't hold up in Court.. What strokes you trying to pulling in saving this broken institutions face.
A) Disband it, its too steeped in civil war politics.
B) Establish a new force with a separate investigative wing.
C) As the Police are a seperate institution to politics then make the new Commissioner an electable position to ensure public confidence instead of 'political' confidence (other countries do it)